Chapter 5: College Knowledge

Indicator 32: Participation in College Preparatory and Awareness Programs

In 2004, among high school seniors with postsecondary aspirations, there was no
significant difference in participation between males and females in college preparatory
and awareness programs, a finding which held for all racial/ ethnic groups.

A number of college preparatory and awareness programs exist throughout the country
to provide information to secondary school students about postsecondary education
opportunities. Activities and services that these programs provide can include career
exploration and aptitude assessment, exposure to college campuses, information on
student financial assistance, assistance in completing college admissions and financial
aid applications, assistance in preparing for college entrance exams, and mentoring
programs.

In 2004, some 23 percent of seniors with postsecondary aspirations reported participating
in programs to help prepare for college. Overall, there were no significant differences
between the percentages for males and females (23 percent each), a pattern which
held for all racial/ ethnic groups.

However, a higher percentage of Black students (34 percent) reported participating
in these programs than did White (20 percent), Hispanic (25 percent), and Asian
students (25 percent), with the same pattern found among male and female students.
Additionally, among female students, a lower percentage of Whites participated than
did Asians and those of two or more races (20 vs. 26 and 31 percent, respectively).